The Moon Came Down On Milk Street by Jean Gralley (Henry Holt, 2004). The moon has come down softly, and who will put it up again? Who will make things right? The fire chief, the rescue workers, the people. This brilliantly simple book speaks to our universal need for comfort, for heroes, for hope. It’s perhaps the best “crisis”
Category: General
Holidays, Friends, and (Of Course) Books
Quite a bustling December week. Toni Buzzeo was kind enough to send me some votives, reindeer ornament hooks, and wine swirly decorations. Talked to Katie Davis on the phone about her work in progress. Ran into Brian Yansky today at Suzi’s Chinese Kitchen, out with his mom. Received a gorgeous e-card from Jennifer Ward.
Hana In The Time Of The Tulips
Hana In The Time Of The Tulips by Deborah Noyes, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick Press, 2004). Hana and Papa used to pretend in the garden that he was ill and she could cure him with a kiss or a race or a rose. But suddenly, Papa seems ill for real, struck by greed, and it separates him from simple pleasures,
Mayra L. Dole
It was a thrill today to hear from Mayra L. Dole, the Cuban-born author of the new multicultural bilingual books, Drum, Chavi, Drum!/Toca, Chavi, Toca! and Birthday in the Barrio/Cumpleanos en el Barrio (Children’s Book Press).
Do surf over to her Web site to read the article on Writing Children’s Latino Books (also helpful for writing any children’s books),
Francess Lantz
In memory of children’s/YA author Francess Lantz, donations may be sent to: Amber Brown Fund / SCBWI Museum of Children’s Books; 8271 Beverly Boulevard; Los Angeles, CA 90048. The Amber Brown Fund brings authors to classrooms.
A Flurry
Not a flurry of snow, a flurry of activity.
Received two presents in the mail today–a kitty bracelet from Debbi Michiko Florence (so cute!) and a box of tea with a bundle of cookies from Kathi Appelt.
Also picked books off to the spring lists to review from HarperCollins and Clarion.
Vermont College
Next summer I’ll be visiting faculty at the Union Institute & University/Vermont College MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. M.T. Anderson, author of Burger Wuss and Thirsty (among others), is the department chair and called to talk to me about it last week.
Gruene, Texas
Went roadtripping with Greg down I-35 South to nearby Gruene, Texas to have lunch and shop for antiques.
Picked up a small craftsman desk and chair for the guest room (exhibit Greg driving the Olds down the interstate with Cyn squished in a corner of the backseat, praying all are not crushed by a passing semi).
Katie Davis
Spent most of yesterday reading a manuscript for Katie Davis, one of the world’s most sparkly and talented people. What I love most about Katie‘s work is that it’s so authentically childlike, exploding with sincere emotion, and at the same time, often funny.
Took a break with Greg to take in the 2004 Armadillo Christmas Bazaar at the Austin Music Hall (think live music,
Horn Book Fanfare
Horn Book has posted its “Fanfare” books for 2004.
Also, I’ve learned that the technique Linda Sue Park has employed (see previous post) is “metafiction.”